Entertainment, Policy and Community Leaders Address Impact of Media Images on Youth

Washington, D.C. — Academy Award-winning actor Geena Davis and other leaders from the entertainment, policy, business and youth-serving communities joined forces to examine media literacy and healthy images.

The Healthy Media for Youth Summit, a partnership of Girl Scouts of the USA, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), and The Creative Coalition, considered and identified ways to promote media messages that inspire, empower and engage youth. Ms. Davis was joined by other Hollywood luminaries and members of The Creative Coalition including Emmy-Award winner Alfre Woodard, Steven Weber, Teri Polo, and Rachael Leigh Cook.

Many girls struggle throughout their lives with how to reconcile the images of girls and women they see in the media with their own body image, self worth and potential. Earlier this year, the Girl Scout Research Institute released a nationwide survey, Beauty Redefined, which found that the media has significant influence over girls. Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed say the fashion industry and/or the media place a lot of pressure on them to be thin, even as they realized that the fashion industry's models were "too skinny" (65 percent), "unrealistic" (63 percent) and "unhealthy" (46 percent). However, despite the criticism of this industry, 3 out of 4 girls say that fashion is "really important" to them.

Recognizing the importance of this topic, GSUSA, NAB, NCTA and The Creative Coalition hosted today's Healthy Media for Youth Summit where keynote speaker and long-time advocate for women and girls, Geena Davis led a conversation about ways to promote healthy images and media literacy. Davis is the founder of the nonprofit The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and its programming arm See Jane, which engages film and television creators to dramatically increase the percentages of female characters.

Also at the summit a new public service announcement (PSA) was unveiled urging youth to "Watch What You Watch" and have a greater understanding about the images in media. The PSA directs viewers to a Web site which offers media literacy information and resources.

As a follow up to the Healthy Media for Youth Summit, there are plans to establish a "blue ribbon" panel to further explore the issue of healthy media for youth and to offer specific recommendations to promote them. Plans are also underway to convene "community conversations" in several locations around the country to address the issue.

About Girl Scouts of the USA
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls living overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.

About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition is the premiere 501(C)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating and mobilizing its members on issues of public importance, particularly in the areas of public education, arts advocacy and First Amendment rights. www.thecreativecoalition.org

About NCTA
NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation's cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks. The cable industry is the nation's largest broadband provider of high-speed Internet access, serving more than 41 million customers, after investing more than $160 billion to build a two-way interactive network with fiber optic technology. Cable companies also provide state-of-the-art digital telephone service to more than 22 million American consumers. www.ncta.com

About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.